7 Sense-stimulating (and Budget-friendly) DIY Projects Kids Love

Play is one of the most important things children do. In fact, it may be the most important thing they can do, because it helps them learn about and understand their world.

Research shows that children learn best when they engage their senses. Many adults can vouch for this. Some of our best memories are tied to one or more of our senses of touch, hearing and sight.

Give your children the opportunity to investigate materials with no preconceived expectations. In so doing you’re helping them develop and refine their skill sets. Cognitive, creative, emotional, linguistic, physical, and social abilities can all become heightened, experts say.

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Most children I know (and adults for that matter) can't deny the joy derived from playing with soft and squishy toys, but some parents worry about the ingredients manufacturers use to create them.

Why not create your own at home for mere pennies?

Here’s how:

Katie at LiveCraftEat.com provides an inexpensive recipe for homemade flubber. And the best part is, you probably have the simple ingredients in your home right now.

On her website, Katie says that after mixing the concoction together, “it turns into this smooth elasticy substance that I can’t quite describe – though it does remind me a lot of ‘B.O.B.’ on the monsters vs. aliens movie!”

Let the kids get into the act by helping to knead the dough.

For a new spin on the traditional play dough, check out dōTERRA Blog’s homemade Aromatherapy Play Dough scented with essential oils. Imagine orange-colored dough that actually smells like oranges! Keep the dough in the refrigerator for months of fun.

If your kids love to paint, try homemade salt and flour paint. The recipe comes from Rachelle Doorley at Tinkerlab, and consists of — you got it — salt, flour, water and food coloring!

The recipe makes enough non-toxic paint to fill three 2-ounce bottles. The result is paint similar to tempera.

We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.